by Rita Hestand
"Well, we do have to do something about him. We can't hold up in here forever." Aiden told him.
"If only I had a trap," Angus cried.
That evening Frank took Gloria to bed and made love to her, to take her mind off the cat. Angus stayed up and talked to Aiden for a long while, trying to figure out a way to outsmart the cat. But when Pumpkin kept tossing and turning every time the cat screeched, he went to bed to hold her close and love her.
Aiden saw Lucy was still awake even though she'd laid down. Instead of crawling into his own blanket he laid beside her.
"You're shivering," he whispered, cuddling her to him. She let him hold her.
"You won't outthink that cat, Aiden." Lucy cried.
"Hey, we'll figure something out." He assured her bringing her against him and holding her tight.
She pulled away to look into his eyes, "I have this feeling Aiden. It won't go away."
"What feeling?" He asked.
"Death!"
"Hey now, no one is going to die?" He assured her and kissed her forehead as he pulled her back into his arms.
"He'll kill, Aiden. I know he will… " she cried, she was shaking so bad now.
He looked at her, and then suddenly he was kissing her, so softly, until she was breathless and shocked.
The kiss made her forget everything save him. She held on and clung to him. "I wish you wouldn't do that," she said breathlessly when he pulled away to look at her.
"Why?" he asked just as breathless.
"Because when you kiss me, I can't think, can't do anything but feel… "
He chuckled softly, "That's good. What do you feel?"
"Like I want another, and another…and… "then he kissed her again and she wrapped herself around him, urging him to explore as she opened her mouth and allowed him inside. Their tongues waltzed slowly at first, then with a hunger.
When he finally pulled away, she grabbed her stomach.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"My belly, it aches so…. You think I'm coming down with something?" she asked so innocently.
He stared into her eyes, "I think we both are… " he smiled.
She punched him in the arm, "It's not funny!"
"I know, I don't think I can walk right now."
"Why? Are you paralyzed or something?" she asked.
"Or something," he chuckled.
"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" She asked.
"Hurt me, no. But you sure as hell did something. And I don't think I'm going to get better for a long while." He leaned and kissed her again.
This time she surrendered to him, letting him have his leave of her. She moaned softly as his lips went everywhere, over her face and she sighed his name. "Oh Aiden," she sighed once more.
He kissed her nose and stared into her blue eyes.
"Can you get sick from kissing?" she asked as he looked into her eyes and fingered her hair.
"Oh yeah, but one day, we'll be very well. It's just not gonna happen here and now. I promise you though, I'll make you very well… before too long." He smiled.
"I don't understand… "
"I know, but you will. Goodnight sweetheart." He said and got up slowly, walking as though almost in pain to his own blanket.
"Sleep well, little one." He smiled as he glanced over his shoulder at her.
She laid there staring and wondering what he was talking about. Remembering the sweetness of his kisses, she closed her eyes and dreamed of good things.
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning at breakfast everyone was still talking about the Cougar. The women were distraught, and this time Lucy was more upset than any of the others.
Aiden knew she sensed something, and it disturbed him greatly as Lucy was able to feel things and see things before, they happened. He remembered long ago, when her father was bit by a rattler, she'd seen something before he left camp that morning and told Aiden. Aiden thought nothing of it, as he didn't know her powers. But sure enough, he'd been bitten, and another warrior brought him back to camp that same day. Lucy doctored him and prayed over him and the old man recovered. Now she was back into that state of knowing and it bothered him.
What could he do?
He felt they needed to leave but it might mean disaster if they tried it.
Angus poked his head out the cave and turned around to stare into the Cougar's face. He stood there staring for some time, then slowly eased himself back inside.
"He's hungry, he's very lean, I saw no blood to indicate he'd eaten anything."
"That's not good." Aiden shrugged.
"No, it isn't." Angus agreed.
"What are we going to do?" Gloria fretted.
"The longer he goes without food, the worse things will get."
"I agree."
"We can't try it yet," Lucy came up to them, her worry for everyone in her eyes.
"Honey, we have to do something. The hungrier he gets, the worse it might be. And our own food supply won't last long if we don't start watching it. We've still got a ways to go and we need to preserve as hunting isn't always possible or good this time of year."
"This cat has been pushed." Angus told them. "He had to be, he's so lean, and he's very hungry. Either he's traveled a long way, without much nourishment, or he hasn't eaten in a long time. He's probably the runt of his bunch and had to compete with his siblings for food and territory."
"What do you mean?" Frank asked him.
"Cougars are competitive with other males. Every now and then there is one that can't hold his end up, he doesn't get his kill, and so he gets hungrier. The other Cougars push him. He's starving, and we are his meal." Angus told him.
"My God, isn't there anything we can do?" Frank asked his concern genuine.
"Cougars don't attack a man unless they are completely desperate. They'll kill cows, deer, small animals, anything rather than attack a man. They are usually a shy animal. We are on his territory or at least what he's claiming. That puts us in a dangerous position. Unless they are starved and beaten out of their own territories. It's a cold winter and there's little to kill to keep him satisfied. If we go out, we must be very quiet, stand tall or ride our horses out very slowly. Running will make him attack. Crouching down will make him attack. Even if we manage to best him, he could come back with another attack. You must not cower in any way around them. Look them in the eye, never run, but walk away."
"How could I look a Cougar in the eye, when I know he could kill me?" Gloria asked.
"If you cower, he feels stronger, he sees your weakness. Just like a person can see, so can the Cougar."
Pumpkin said something to Angus. Angus shook his head.
"What did she say?" Gloria asked.
"She doesn't think we should leave. But the longer we stay the worse our condition. We've got to try to get out of here, and now. So, pack up your horses, and we will walk them out of here. When we are out of range we'll ride. Don't spur your horse, don't make any sudden movements."
"Aiden, no…" Lucy cried.
"Honey, we have to leave. It's only going to get worse, the longer we stay here."
She cried now.
He pulled her into his arms. "I'll admit it's dangerous, but we've got to try before he gets desperate."
She nodded, "Okay… it's just…"
"You've seen something?"
"Yes."
He sighed. "We've got to try Lucy. We can't wait any longer. He's only going to get hungrier."
Aiden went to get the horses. They packed up and were ready within the hour. Gloria shook with fear, Pumpkin shook her head, and Lucy felt as though death lurked.
But before they began to move a voice came from outside.
"Send the Spirit Woman out to me… " the voice demanded.
Lucy turned to listen, "Oh my God, it's Long Knife!" she shrieked.
Aiden came to her side.
"He's here!" she shrieked.
Aiden saw how fear ripped through Lucy as went to the cave en
trance and pushed the blanket aside. "You are in danger Long Knife, there's a cat on top this cave. You should slowly turn away and leave!"
"I do not fall for such a trick." Long Knife assured her.
"How did you find me?"
"The smoke from the cave." He answered with a smile. "You are not much of a Spirit Woman to run from me."
"I run from evil… " Lucy told him.
"Because I make war? I came for you, I will not leave until you leave with me! My father pledged you to me. You are mine now."
"You cannot have her." Aiden told him coming to stand just behind Lucy.
"I smell death in the air… " Lucy cried out.
"You are right, for if you do not come, I will kill you."
"And if you do not leave the cat will kill you!" Lucy cried.
"It will not work, I do not believe there is a cat." He chortled.
"For the last time, go away!" She told him.
"You refuse my right to wed you?" Long Knife asked.
"I refuse to marry a killer!"
"Then," he drew his bow and arrow and just as he prepared to shoot her with it, the cat jumped from the ledge, screeching loudly as he pounced upon Long Knife.
Long Knife struggled mightily but the cat got a hold of his neck and swayed back and forth.
Angus fired his rifle and the cat fell, along with Long Knife. His eyes staring up as Lucy came out of the cave to look at him. She turned away and Aiden took her in his arms.
"It's over now, I am sorry for his life, but he should of all people heeded your advice."
"It is better he die, than one of us. For had he lived many others would die. Now there is a chance for peace."
Pumpkin grabbed her chest and nodded. She said something to Angus. Aiden glanced at them, "What did she say."
"She said Lucy was right, he was as much a killer as the cat."
Gloria grabbed Frank and hid her face. Lucy stood shaking. Aiden turned and saw how white her face had gone. "It's over, we can go now." He told Lucy
He helped Lucy up behind him.
"I could take his horse." She cried.
"I kind of like you behind me." He smiled.
She closed her eyes so she wouldn't see Long Knife sprawled along the rocks nor the blood bath the cat created.
Everyone came out of the cave and rode slowly around the massacre.
"What will I tell my father?"
"That he died bravely, saving you." Aiden smiled at her now as he turned to look at her.
She nodded slowly. "Yes, I guess you are right. I did not wish this kind of death upon him. I did not wish it, but I'm glad he died this way. He would have led my people into a war where many would die."
"You're probably right about that."
"He wasn't a good man. It was nature's justice though." She cried.
"It's over Lucy, he won't be chasing you any longer, and if we leave now, everything will be fine."
"Should we bury him?"
"No, leave it to nature to clean up."
Buzzard were already circling high in the air.
She nodded.
Angus moved toward Pumpkin now, then stared at the animal. "Easy…"
"Aren't we going to bury him?" Gloria whispered as she moved around the corner of the cave and mounted, as she seemed to notice what she was doing again.
"No, we're going to get out of here now before anything else happens. The snow will bury him, what the buzzards don't get, it's coming down again, we've got to push on toward the fort."
"But it's not Christian to leave him like that." Frank insisted.
"Out here, we let nature decide what is Christian and what isn't. I think God understands it. This is survival. We've been hit with a blizzard, killed a bear, and a cat. I won't lose any of you to mishaps. We're going to the fort. We're leaving. We're getting out of here, now!" The rush in his voice made them realize even Aiden was affected by what happened.
Just the sound of his voice was enough to hush them all. Emotion ran deep now, and silence was the only solace.
They trudged through the snow their faces pale and unreadable. Lucy had taken one last look at Lone Knife, as silent tears rolled down her cheek at the massacre. She'd been witness to wars, but nothing prepared her for the blood bath the cat had managed.
"Even as a child he played war all the time." Lucy muttered. "He would never have consented to peace."
"You're probably right about that."
Later as they camped that night, Frank and Gloria stuck together and Gloria cooked, Pumpkin and Angus seemed more than unusually quiet. Lucy helped but they didn't talk. They were all just going through the motions.
"Go easy on the food ladies, we have to make do until we hit civilization once more." Aiden warned.
Frank joined Aiden taking care of the horses. "I suppose we did the best thing, but it's tragic."
"Yes, it is. No one feels any worse than I do about it. But I can't say I feel too bad about Long Knife."
"Who was he?"
"Part of Lucy's tribe."
"What did he want with her."
"He wanted her. After her husband died, she was promised to Long Knife. But Long Knife had killed an Indian maiden. Lucy saw it, and was afraid of him, running from him."
"Why?" Frank seemed curious and concerned.
"Let's just say he was not a good man and leave it at that."
"How did he find her?" Gloria asked.
"He's a born tracker, for one. Probably been tracking her for some time. With all of us around tracking became easier for him. Lucy left the tribe because of him. In some ways it was a blessing he was killed."
"Blessing?" Gloria stared with a frown. "How can you say a death like that was a blessing."
Lucy stared into the fire now, as a tear ran down her cheek. "After he killed the girl, he found me, raped me and threatened to kill me if I told his father." Lucy muttered her voice strained, her face a mass and mixture of emotions.
Angus shook his head, "Then he got what he deserved."
"That's how I see it." Aiden nodded. "You see, Lucy witnessed his raping her friend, and him killing her. Then he raped Lucy and threated to kill her if she spoke up. Lucy was afraid of him, all this time. That's why she's here, she was trying to escape him, all along."
"I don't understand, why didn't he kill her when he had the chance?" Frank asked. "If that was what he was after."
"Because she is the Spirit Woman of her tribe. He was afraid to kill her. For he knew if he did, his tribe would kill him."
"My God, your poor child. I can't believe all of this." Gloria came up to Lucy.
"As much as I disliked him, I did not wish this upon him. And yet, for my people it is a blessing, for he would have led them into a war he could not win. The Creator took care of it for me. And I am glad it worked out this way. I did not want him to cause a senseless war either."
"It would seem," Frank studied the ground as he spoke his expression serious now. "We have all been through a lot on this trip. And perhaps learned a lot about ourselves in the process."
"I think you are right about that" Aiden agreed. "Considering it all, we should all be thankful we are alive and well."
"But there is a blessing in it. We're all closer to each other for it." Gloria glanced at Lucy and hugged her.
"For that I'm glad." Aiden nodded.
"Did anyone else know what he did?"
"No, I could not shame him, I could not live around him any longer either. We were raised like brother and sister. I could never marry him. It is the closest I have come to hating a person in my life. You do not marry your family, and he was part of my family."
Changing the atmosphere Aiden told them. "We've not hunted in days and our food supply is narrowing. I've made this trip a few times and know how much we have to have to survive. The fact that we couldn't hunt and stay in the cave, made it narrow down more quickly. Plus, we had to feed the horses the oats. Now we can't waste time, we need to get down. Even now that is
in short supply. But since everyone is a bit upset over what happened, perhaps Angus and I can do some much-needed hunting right now. We'll make camp early and see if we can find food."
"I agree. I wish I could have done something, though, to be more helpful." Frank hung his head.
"You did."
"What sir?" Frank asked incredulously.
"You took care of your wife." Aiden grinned.
Gloria hugged Frank now.
"I'd say all considered, what happened was a blessing, and leave it in God's hands now. It would have been a complete disaster if anyone else had gotten involved in it."
As they made camp, Frank actually hunted for firewood, the girls prepared what they could of a meal.
After Aiden and Angus showed Frank how to start the fire, Frank appreciated it and told them he'd make the next one by himself. Angus and Aiden set out to do some hunting.
They came back about two hours later with one wild turkey.
Lucy quickly defeathered it and Aiden put it on the spit to cook.
"You were lucky." Lucy smiled.
"Yeah, he just came strutting out of the woods at us." Aiden grinned.
When he noticed how badly her hands were shaking, he took her in his arms and hugged her. "It's going to be alright."
She nodded and turned to look at him and suddenly he kissed her. He raised his head and smiled, "I needed that."
"Me too!" she whispered.
When Frank and Gloria laid down that night after taking all the precautions of not freezing to death, Angus and Pumpkin curled up together too.
Aiden insisted on Lucy being with him. For one, she was too distraught, for another, he needed her there. "You'll sleep with me tonight." He grinned at her.
"I can't believe that it's over." Lucy cried into his coat as he held her tight. "I can't even believe he found us in that cave either. Of course, the smoke did give it away I suppose."
"He was a good tracker. Had he lived he would have caused more havoc, Lucy. You know that, you said it yourself. He might have even caused a war. Now maybe you really can talk to your father about the raids."
"I suppose I can go home now."
"I guess you are anxious to get back now that he's gone?" He smiled sadly.
"Do not worry. I'll go to the fort Aiden."
"I'd appreciate it." He told her. "We'll make it to the fort. But we have to remember, this time of year, hunting is scarce, fishing is not feasible. Now we need to ration the food until we get off this mountain."